Vanuatu National Roadmap for Coastal Fisheries 2019-2030

Government of the Republic of Vanuatu Vanuatu National Roadmap for Coastal Fisheries: 2019–2030 Developed by staff from Vanuatu Fisheries Department with financial support from the governments of Australia and New Zealand. Facilitated by the Pacific Community (SPC) and Australian National Centre for Ocean Resource and Security (ANCORS, University of Wollongong) Approved by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity (MALFFB) on 20th March 2019, Port Vila Noumea, New Caledonia, June 2019 Vanuatu National Roadmap for Coastal Fisheries: 2019–2030 Vanuatu Fisheries Department PMB 9045 Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity Port Vila, Vanuatu ii © Vanuatu Fisheries Department (VFD), Pacific Community (SPC) 2019 All rights for commercial/for profit reproduction or translation, in any form, reserved. The Vanuatu Fisheries Department (VFD) and the Pacific Community (SPC) authorise the partial reproduction or translation of this material for scientific, educational or research purposes, provided that VFD, SPC and the source document are properly acknowledged. Permission to reproduce the document and/or translate in whole, in any form, whether for commercial/for profit or non-profit purposes, must be requested in writing. Original VFD or SPC artwork may not be altered or separately published without permission. Original text: English Pacific Community Cataloguing-in-publication data Vanuatu National Roadmap for Coastal Fisheries: 2019–2030 / Vanuatu Fisheries Department 1. Fisheries — Government policy – Vanuatu. 2. Fishery – Management – Vanuatu. 3. Fishery policy — Vanuatu. 4. Fishery law and legislation — Vanuatu. 5. Fishery management — Vanuatu. 6. Marine resources — Vanuatu. I. Title II. Vanuatu III. Pacific Community 639.2099595 AACR2 ISBN: 978-982-00-1206-6 Prepared for publication at SPC’s Noumea headquarters, B.P. D5 98848 Noumea Cedex, New Caledonia, 2019 (www.spc.int | spc@spc.int) Printed by Ultimo Global, New Zealand, 2019 This document may be cited as Vanuatu Fisheries Department. 2019. Vanuatu National Roadmap for Coastal Fisheries: 2019–2030. Noumea, New Caledonia: Pacific Community. 24 p. Cover picture: Maewo (image: Paul Jones) iii Contents Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv Approval for the Vanuatu National Roadmap for Coastal Fisheries: 2019–2030 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .v Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vii Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vii Acronyms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vii Background and justification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Coastal fisheries in Vanuatu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Threats to coastal resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Challenges to sustainable management and development of coastal fisheries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Enforcement and compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Institutional barriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Need for a national roadmap for coastal fisheries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 A national roadmap for coastal fisheries in Vanuatu: 2019–2030 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Key guiding principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Four overarching outcomes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Six focal action areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Cross-cutting enabling conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Strategic milestones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Monitoring, evaluation and learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 National Fisheries Management Advisory Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Action matrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Annex - Consultation process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Tanna (image: Dirk Steenbergen) iv Foreword With two-thirds of Vanuatu’s people living along the coast, our people depend on fish and other marine resources for food and income. In times of hardship – when natural disasters strike or yields fail – we turn to the sea for sustenance. With increasing pressures (e.g. population growth, natural disasters and climate change) facing Vanu atu, managing our coastal fisheries is crucial now and for generations to come. Ni-Vanuatu have long managed marine resources as an integral part of local kastom. Although, local kastom has been integrated into different government and non-government fisheries management programmes, the institut ed connections between coastal resource management and local kastom nonetheless have remained weak. To help meet the food security and livelihood needs of the men, women and children of Vanuatu, the Fisheries Depart ment has united its plans, efforts and resources to secure sustainable management of coastal resources. As such, a coastal fisheries division was established within the department in late 2017. This national roadmap was devel oped to define the department’s coastal fisheries management priorities and guide their implementation along desired pathways. This roadmap comes at a time when the department is implementing policy directives from the Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 2016–2031. It will function as a strategic guiding tool to help the department set annual work plans and monitor progress toward strengthening service provision and response to needs in the coastal fisheries sector. The roadmap moreover aligns with the The People’s Plan (National Sustainable Development Plan), and with other (sub) regional and international coastal fisheries policy documents, most significantly A new song for coastal fisheries – pathways to change: The Noumea strategy, developed by the Pacific Community (SPC). The roadmap sets out a vision for coastal fisheries in Vanuatu to “secure sustainable coastal fisheries, underpinned by community-based approaches to ensure the resilience and well-being of our people” by 2030. It will allow the Fisheries Department to provide the necessary services to Vanuatu’s coastal communities and ensure resource stocks remain healthy, productive and resilient. It is with great pleasure that I hereby approve the Vanuatu National Roadmap for Coastal Fisheries: 2019–2030. May God bless us all in our collective journey forward; Yumi Go. ……………………………………………………………… Honourable Hosea NEVU (MP) Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity v Approval for the Vanuatu National Roadmap for Coastal Fisheries: 2019–2030 The Vanuatu National Roadmap for Coastal Fisheries: 2019–2030 is made in accordance with Part 3 Section 6(1) (a) of Fisheries Act No. 10 of 2014. By virtue of powers conferred upon the Minister Responsible for Fisheries, under Section 6(1) (a) of the Fisheries Act No. 10 of 2014, notice is hereby given for approval of the Vanuatu National Roadmap for Coastal Fisheries: 2019–2030. COMMENCEMENT DATE This national roadmap commences on the date on which it is approved by the Minister. vi Aniwa (image: Dirk Steenbergen) vii Preface The National Roadmap for Coastal Fisheries is designed to guide the sustainable development of coastal fisheries for the benefit of Vanuatu. The roadmap supports the objectives of the Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 2016-2030 and, in acknowledging the great diversity and dynamics of the sector, will be subject to review at the mid-point of its implementation. The roadmap also provides a framework for Vanuatu’s implementation of the principles and commitments to community-based fisheries management set out in A new song for coastal fisher ies – pathways to change: The Noumea strategy (henceforth “New Song Noumea Strategy”), developed by the Pacific Community (SPC). Acknowledgements This coastal fisheries roadmap would not have been realised without the immense contributions of many people and organisations. First and foremost, the Vanuatu Fisheries Department (VFD) would like to acknowledge the involvement and contributions of all stakeholders involved in the consultation workshops that preceded publi cation of this roadmap and who provided valuable information and insights throughout the development of the roadmap. VFD also would like to thank Jason Raubani from SPC, and Neil Andrew and Dirk Steenbergen from University of Wollongong, for their collective facilitation of the workshop series that formed the basis of this roadmap, and for their overall guidance in the formulation and consultation process. VFD is grateful for the funding support provided through the ACIAR- and DFAT-funded Pathways Project (FIS 2016-300), which made development of the roadmap possible. Further funding from the governments of Austra lia and New Zealand enabled SPC to assist with the consultation, drafting and publication of this roadmap. Finally, VFD would like to acknowledge the contributions of its hardworking staff for their time and insights and for continuously driving the national process in realising this important guiding document. Tankio tumas to all! Acronyms CBFM community-based fisheries management EAFM ecosystem-based approaches to fisheries management EIA environmental impact assessment FAD fish aggregating device FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations ICT information communication technology MALFFB Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity MCS monitoring, control and surveillance MoA memorandum of agreement MoC memorandum of collaboration MoU memorandum of understanding NCD non-communicable disease NSDP National Sustainable Development Plan SDG Sustainable Development Goals SOP standard operating procedure ToC Theory of Change VFD Vanuatu Fisheries Department Aniwa (image: Dirk Steenbergen) Malekula (image: Dirk Steenbergen) 1 Background and justification Coastal fisheries in Vanuatu Vanuatu is comprised of more than 80 islands with a total population of approximately 270,000 people. With around 2,528 kilometres of coastline and 433 square kilometres of reef, lagoon, mangrove and estuarine systems that support coastal fisheries, the social and economic development of the country depends to a large degree on these fisheries. Two-thirds of Ni-Vanuatu lives within one kilometre of the coast and most coastal people depend on fisheries as a key source of their livelihood and food. Fish, moreover, are central to the Ni-Vanuatu cultural identity. Yet, important coastal fisheries in Vanuatu are, to varying degrees, declining under increased pressure of population growth and market expansion among other external drivers of change. Sustained management of the fisheries is essential for food security and livelihoods. Coastal fisheries operating up to 12 nautical miles from the coast are complex and diverse, with a variety of spe cies and fishing gears. Defining user rights in Vanuatu is subject to several overlapping jurisdictions, including customary tenure systems. Such sectoral complexity can cause conflict and challenges to centralised policy ap proaches. Given this context, it is important to map pathways toward achieving a collective vision for sustainable coastal fisheries. This roadmap comes at a time when Vanuatu is implementing strategic actions and policy direc tives from the Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 2016—2031. Institutional context The Vanuatu Fisheries Department (VFD), under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity (MALFFB) is the lead government agency charged with ensuring the sustainable management, devel opment and conservation of fisheries resources in Vanuatu. Other important bodies include the Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation, provincial governments, and communities. Maewo (image: Paul Jones) 2 Legislative context The primary legal instrument for the sustainable management, development and conservation of fisheries re sources in Vanuatu is the Fisheries Act No. 10 of 2014. Other relevant legal instruments include the Environmental Protection and Conservation Act No.12 of 2002, Decentralization and Local Government Regions (Amendment) Act No. 13 of 1997, Vanuatu Foreign Investment Promotion Act No.15 of 1998, Maritime Zones Act No.6 of 2010, and the Constitution of the Republic of Vanuatu. The purpose of the Fisheries Act is to conserve, manage and develop fisheries in Vanuatu in order to ensure long term sustainable use of fisheries resources for the benefit of the people of Vanuatu. More specifically, the act mandates the VFD to control and regulate access to fisheries resources and to make regulations that ensure the sustainable utilisation of fisheries resources. The Environmental Conservation Act provides for the protection of the environment and biodiversity. The Decen tralization and Local Government Regions Act provides for the powers of provincial governments to pass by-laws in support of fisheries resources management within six miles of their respective provincial waters. The Vanuatu For eign Investment Promotion Act provides a list of fishing activities reserved for Ni-Vanuatu. The Maritime Zones Act provides for the demarcation of the Vanuatu waters into zones where different fishing activities may be permitted. Finally, the Constitution stipulates land ownership and rule of custom in land ownership and use, providing the legal basis for communities or landowners to assume ownership and responsibility over the sustainable utilisation of coastal reef fisheries within their respective areas. Policy context Two national overarching policies are central to the development of sustainable coastal fisheries, namely The People’s Plan: National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) 2016—2030 and the Vanuatu National Fisheries Sector Policy 2016—2031 (Figure 1). The strategic objectives formulated in these policy documents lay the foundation for rural development and fisheries management in Vanuatu. Other policies outside the immediate domain of fisheries, particularly the Vanuatu National Ocean Policy and those pertaining to national health and environment are important in informing the National Fisheries Sector Policy. The chart below illustrates the national policy context and the relationship of this strategy with legislation, policies, strategies and work plans relevant to coastal fisheries. Futuna (image: Pita Neihapi) 3 Figure 1. National policy context of the Vanuatu Fisheries Department, with specific focus on coastal fisheries Tanna (image: Dirk Steenbergen) 4 This roadmap aligns with (sub-)regional and international policies, particularly those set out in the Melanesian Spearhead Group’s (MSG) roadmap for coastal fisheries, the Pacific Community’s (SPC) New Song Noumea Strat egy and the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Small-Scale Fisheries. Table 1 presents details on the policy context. Table 1. Subregional, regional and international policies relevant to coastal fisheries management in Vanuatu Sub-regional policy Melanesian Spearhead Group roadmap for inshore fisheries management and sustainable development 2015-2024 Vision: “Sustainable inshore fisheries, well managed using community-based approaches that provide long-term economic, social, ecological and food security benefits to our communities” through the following objectives: “1. Implement effective policies, legislation, management frameworks and financing mechanisms […] 2. Conduct education, awareness raising and the provision of information on the importance and management […] 3. Manage, maintain and restore fisheries stocks (e.g. BDM) to secure long-term economic and social benefits […]” Regional policy A new song for coastal fisheries – pathways to change: The Nou mea strategy (2015) Vision: “Sustainable well-managed inshore fisheries, underpinned by community-based approaches that provide food security, and long-term economic, social and ecological benefits to our communities.” Overarching outcomes: “1. Improved wellbeing of coastal communities; and 2. Productive and healthy ecosystems and fish stocks” Future of Fisheries: A Regional Roadmap for Sustainable Pacific Fisheries (2015) The Roadmap anticipates a 10-year timeframe for all Pacific Island countries to put in place policies and legislation that provide for the involvement of coastal communities in the management of their fisheries resources. Communities will drive local management regimes with clear user rights, supported by national controls on export commodities. International policy Food and Agriculture Organiza tion’s (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries Article 6.18: “Recognizing the important contributions of artisanal and small-scale fisheries to employment, income and food security, States should appropriately protect the rights of fishers and fishworkers, particularly those engaged in subsistence, small scale and artisanal fisheries, to a secure and just livelihood, as well as preferential access, where appropriate, to traditional fishing grounds and resources in the waters under their national jurisdiction.” FAO’s Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (2015) Objective 1.1 b: “to contribute to the equitable development of small-scale fishing communities and poverty eradication and to improve the socio-economic situation of fishers and fish workers…” Sustainable Development Goal #14 “[…] sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development” 5 Threats to coastal resources Vanuatu faces threats to its coastal resources both within and beyond VFD’s influence. Coastal fisheries provide an easily accessible resource on which coastal communities rely not only for food security but also for income generation. Dependence on the cash economy is posing a direct threat to coastal fisheries resources in many plac es, particularly where there is easy access to markets. Declines have been measured, for example, in all economi cally important species, such as sea cucumber, trochus, green snail, crustaceans and giant clam. In areas close to urban centres, declines in reef finfish resources and shellfish are particularly evident. These trends are made worse by people turning to unsustainable practices to salvage income from diminishing yields as coastal resources be come scarce, ultimately leading to the collapse of important ecosystems. Examples of external threats that are out of the direct control of VFD include: • population growth; • natural disasters (e.g. cyclones, volcanos, crown-of-thorn starfish outbreaks); • climate change (e.g. sea surface temperature rise and acidification); • pollution; and • coastal development, and associated coastal runoff and siltation. In part due to the threats noted above, Pacific-wide, food security assessments have indicated that Vanuatu can expect to experience significant deficits in its coastal fish supply by 2035 (Bell et al 2015, https://doi. org/10.1016/j.marpol.2015.02.010) if fisheries are not managed well. The coastal fisheries challenge in Vanuatu requires multipronged approaches to coastal fisheries management, whereby clear and enforceable fisheries rules and regulations are applied. The coastal fisheries sector needs to adapt and respond to these external pressures to mitigate their impacts as part of a broader policy response. Q u an ti ty o f � sh /h ab it at Q u an ti ty o f � sh /h ab it at �sh habitat �sh habitat �sh needed by growing population �sh needed by growing population �sh available from stocks �sh available from stocks Time Gap in supply of �sh to be �lled Poorly-managed �sheries Well-managed �sheries Time Figure 2. Impact of poor management of stocks and habitats on seafood supply. Source: Bell et al. 2011. Vulnerability of tropical Pacific fisheries and aquaculture to climate change. The Pacific Community, Noumea. 6 Challenges to sustainable management and development of coastal fisheries Enforcement and compliance Enforcement of fisheries laws and regulations and compliance to them remains a significant challenge to coastal fisheries managers. Insufficient human resources, capacity and financial resources means that management re gimes and institutions need to continue to evolve to better serve the Vanuatu population, which is widely and unevenly spread. Institutional barriers The primary barriers to decentralised coastal fisheries in Vanuatu include the current institutional structure, policy orientation, and lack of clarity around local access rights and extent of equitable and inclusive local deci sion-making. With its administrative centres in Port Vila and Luganville, VFD is the mandated authority for fisheries manage ment. Coastal fisheries, however, are also subject to management by provincial and area council-level authorities, as well as clan-level authorities based on local land and marine area tenure. Effective management under such overlapping jurisdictions is difficult. Provincial authorities, for example, lack capacity and resources to ensure effective implementation of policy while, at community-level, unclear tenure and eroding community cohesion impede good coastal fisheries management. Although Vanuatu’s two key legal and policy documents pertaining to fisheries (the Fisheries Act and the National Fisheries Sector Policy) provide a general framework, a strategy specific to coastal fisheries is needed and should explicitly address effective management, local development objectives, and equitable access and benefits for all members of society. Opportunity lies in Vanuatu’s strong tradition in applying community-based approaches to fisheries management in coastal communities and, therefore, forms a critical vehicle for implementation of a strategic coastal fisheries plan. Various initiatives are already underway and have resulted in community networks (e.g. Vanua’tai network), which offer an important foundation for the coastal fisheries roadmap. Tanna (image: Pita Neihapi) 7 Need for a national roadmap for coastal fisheries In late 2017, VFD initiated a strategic planning process to formulate a vision for coastal fisheries and develop a subsequent strategy that could operationalise that vision. An initial workshop involving VFD staff from various government levels helped define the vision and overarching outcomes needed to develop coastal fisheries sustain ably. These were then refined and expanded to include strategies, targets and operationalisation components in subsequent workshops involving relevant stakeholder groups from government departments in Vanuatu. The resulting framework provides stra tegic guidance that is responsive to the existing policy landscape and operational guidance for implementation (Figures 3 and 4). Starting with the vision for coastal fisheries in Vanuatu, the strategic planning process worked backwards to articulate the high-level outcomes needed to achieve the vision. Working with these outcomes in mind, focal action areas were identified as well as enabling conditions needed to realise them. The latter section provides an operational plan of activities, as well as the outputs and indicators used to measure progress. The activities are classified ac cording to their short-, mid- or long-term impact. Successful execution of the focal action areas requires particular cross-cut ting, enabling conditions to be present that allow for the effective implementation of all activities. Figure 3. Structure of the coastal fisheries roadmap Malekula (image: Dirk Steenbergen) 8 Tanna (image: Dirk Steenbergen) 9 A national roadmap for coastal fisheries in Vanuatu: 2019–2030 Vision By 2030, secure sustainable coastal fisheries, underpinned by community-based approaches, to ensure the resil ience and well-being of our people. Key guiding principles The following key principles will guide the overall implementation of this roadmap. 1. Recognise women’s contribution to coastal fisheries and promote more inclusive fisheries management and livelihoods. 2. Recognise diverse users and their roles and responsibilities in coastal fisheries, promote community-based fisheries management (CBFM)1, co-management, and capacity building, as well as the motivation and empowerment of communities. 3. Promote and strengthen partnership and networking with all stakeholders of the coastal fisheries at the national, sub-national, regional and sub-regional levels, and with international players. 4. Uphold and promote ecosystem-based approaches to fisheries management (EAFM) to ensure a holistic approach to decisions taken with respect to the management and development of coastal fisheries. 5. Promote good governance, best practice and accountability in coastal fisheries management and sustain able development. 6. Recognise the complexity and challenges in coastal fisheries (including with respect to the geographic spread and remoteness of islands and people of the country), promote innovation and use of information and communications technology (ICT) in the management and monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) of coastal fisheries. 1 To comply with standard terminology of VFD, we use ‘CBFM’ in this document to capture community-based approaches to coastal fisheries management, but acknowledge many different terms are used to refer to the same set of principles and approaches (e.g. CBCRM, CBCFM, CBRM, CBEAFM etc.). Tanna (image: Dirk Steenbergen) 10 BY 20 30 , S EC U RE SU ST AI N AB LE CO AS TA L FI SH ER IE S, U N D ER PI N N ED BY CO M M U N IT Y BA SE D AP PR O AC H ES , TO EN SU RE TH E RE SI LI EN CE AN D W EL LB EI N G O F O U R PE O PL E Ef fe ct iv e co as ta l re so ur ce g ov er na nc e Pr od uc tiv e an d he al th y co as ta l e co sy st em s H ap py , h ea lth y an d pr os pe ro us p eo pl e Re si lie nt c om m un iti es O VE RA RC H IN G O U TC O M ES A CT IO N A RE A S VI SI O N St ro ng n et w or ks , c om m un ic at io n, a nd in fo rm at io n sh ar in g Eq ui ta bl e op po rt un ity a nd b en ef it di st rib ut io n to m ar gi na lis ed s oc ia l g ro up s in cl ud in g sp ec ifi ca lly w om en II IN FO RM AT IO N & KN O W LE D G E Ac cu ra te in fo rm at io n pr ov is io n, e ff ec tiv e de liv er y an d up ta ke o f n ew kn ow le dg e, a nd s ou nd in te gr at io n w ith c us to m kn ow le dg e III EC O SY ST EM M AN AG EM EN T Pr od uc tiv e ec os ys te m s, a nd ap pl ic ab le , r es po ns ib le a nd ef fe ct iv e co as ta l r es ou rc e m an ag em en t VI LI VE LI H O O D S & W EL LB EI N G Su st ai na bl e, d iv er se a nd pr od uc tiv e m ar in e ba se d liv el ih oo ds IV M AR KE TS Ac ce ss ib le , p ro fit ab le a nd co nt ro lle d fis h m ar ke ts th at fu nc tio n al on g ef fic ie nt va lu e ch ai ns I G O VE RN AN CE Ef fe ct iv e go ve rn an ce , su pp or te d by re le va nt ru le s an d re gu la tio ns , a nd in cl us iv e de ci si on m ak in g V H EA LT H & N U TR IT IO N Ro bu st p ub lic h ea lth a nd nu tr iti on fr om fi sh b as ed di et s Va nu at u N at io na l C oa st al F is he rie s R oa dm ap Em po w er ed , m or e in de pe nd en t a nd s el f su ff ic ie nt c om m un iti es m ak in g go od re so ur ce m an ag em en t d ec is io ns H ig h ca pa ci ty ac ro ss s ec to rs a nd s ca le s, w el l-r es ou rc ed fis he rie s su pp or t, go od le ad er sh ip , a nd s tr on g in st itu tio ns CR O SS C U TT IN G E N A BL IN G C O N D IT IO N S Fi gu re 4 . V an ua tu ’s na tio na l c oa st al fi sh er ie s ro ad m ap fr am ew or k 11 Four overarching outcomes Resilient communities: Communities are well equipped, connected and have the capacity to monitor, address, withstand and adapt to changing conditions. These changes may vary in time and scale from acute, immediate and intense shocks, to slow shifts in the environment. Community self-sufficiency means dependence on develop ment aid is reduced, in part through local capacity building. Effective coastal resource governance: Various bodies of VFD, including its provincial sub-offices, in collabora tion with other government and non-government agencies (e.g. Department of Environment), ensure the effec tive governance of coastal zones and the resource stocks in them. Roles of civil society in management, regulation enforcement and behaviour control are integrated into governance frameworks, which provide for forums for inclusive design and decision-making processes. Productive and healthy coastal ecosystem: Coastal ecosystems function optimally and provide important eco system services despite climate change. Economically important resource stocks are thriving under responsible harvesting regimes. People understand eco-dynamics and connectivity between ecosystems in relation to their practices. Consequently, anthropogenic damage is minimal. Happy, healthy and prosperous people: Social, economic, political and physical living environments foster the well-being of local communities. Although the state of well-being is often understood from a personal perspec tive, the basic conditions of economic prosperity, security, food abundance, stability and good health are attained through effective resource management (given the centrality of coastal resources in people’s lives in Vanuatu). Six focal action areas In order to achieve the overarching outcomes and, ultimately, the vision for coastal fisheries, activities need to be implemented in six focal areas. Collaboration with other relevant government departments is implicit in the ex ecution of activities within each focal action area (e.g. the Attorney General’s Office and Police Maritime will be engaged with respect to “I Governance”; the National Statistics Office and National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) will be engaged with respect to “II Information and Knowledge”; the Department of Environment will be engaged with respect to “III Ecosystem Management”; the Ministry of Trades will be engaged with respect to “IV Markets”; the Ministry of Health will be engaged with respect to “V Health and Nutrition”; and the Depart ment of Cooperatives will be engaged with respect to “VI Livelihoods and Well-being”). I GOVERNANCE The existing Vanuatu fisheries legislation does not adequately enable CBFM and EAFM principles. The design of new or amended legislation must be transparent, inclusive and fit-for-context. In part, this will ensure that the formulation, implementation and enforcement of rules and regulations occur across multiple scales and sectors. Principles of inclusiveness and decentralisation should guide this design process, to ensure that opportunity is distributed fairly and that local institutions are recognised. With its fisheries management and development man date, VFD has a vital role to play in integrating bottom-up management, practice and knowledge. VFD will pro vide support and enforce a coherent set of overarching, enabling laws and policies at the national level with regard to coastal fisheries. Actions: 1.1 Foster collaboration among relevant national departments and ministries. 1.2 Strengthen collaboration among governance institutions at different scales, particularly with provincial governments, area councils and community authorities. 1.3 Develop and implement laws, regulations and by-laws relevant to community development and coastal fisheries and which enable CBFM and EAFM principles. 1.4 Develop applicable and achievable control systems for fishing activity. 1.5 Strengthen community-level fisheries resource governance. 1.6 Enable VFD to implement coastal fisheries strategy activities, with particular reference to developing a SOP for adequate disaster relief response. 12 II INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE Accurate and applicable information will be as important as the means by which it is transferred to stakeholders. The extent of uptake of new knowledge hinges on creative, appropriate and ongoing modes of delivery. Integrat ing technical insights from science with existing (traditional) knowledge, in part, ensures learning and local sup port for management interventions. Actions: 2.1 Develop a strategy for better communication between VFD and stakeholders, and with civil society. 2.2 Regularly monitor and evaluate the state of coastal fisheries (both centrally and by community groups to enable decentralised coverage). 2.3 Develop innovative modes of stakeholder engagement and awareness-raising campaigns to promote CBFM. 2.4 Conduct research to inform and improve practice, and increase understanding of the importance of fish to livelihoods, nutrition and health. 2.5 Integrate scientific knowledge with existing traditional knowledge. 2.6 Strengthen knowledge and skills of VFD staff at national, provincial and area levels to be able to execute VFD strategic priorities. III ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT The principles of EAFM are vital to maintain the multiple roles that coastal fisheries play in people’s livelihoods as well as the broader functions of marine and terrestrial systems. CBFM approaches will enable the integration of diverse interests to help alleviate challenges that may ensue as a result of competing interests. Actions: 3.1 Align fisheries management (planning, design, implementation and evaluation) practices to holistic CBFM and EAFM principles, which are informed by sound fisheries science and methodology. 3.2 Improve coastal fisheries stocks and habitats. 3.3 Secure formal rights of access and management over customary tenure. 3.4 Strengthen communities (and connections between the communities and VFD) to manage fisheries resources. Malekula (image: Dirk Steenbergen) 13 IV MARKETS It is critical to develop sustainable market systems through improved social organisation, infrastructure improve ment and mechanisms to allow for reliable supply. Access to markets in order to sell and buy fish must be ensured for the future, and increased through improvements to the reliability and consistency of connections to domestic urban markets. Actions: 4.1 Improve fish quality, availability and affordability in markets. 4.2 Improve access to markets – between producers and consumers (in rural and urban areas, namely Lu ganville and Port Vila). V HEALTH AND NUTRITION Fish is an important component of the diet of most Ni-Vanuatu and critical to the improved nutrition of vulner able groups (e.g. pregnant women; children under five years of age). It is important to inform community mem bers of the micronutrient value of fish, particularly in child development stages. Post-harvest handling needs to be hygienic to minimise diet-related disease. Actions: 5.1 Promote consumption of fresh nutritious fish as part of a well-balanced diet. 5.2 Focus on improving diets among specific social groups (e.g. women and children). 5.3 Regulate food safety standards at fish markets. Malekula (image: Dirk Steenbergen) 14 VI LIVELIHOODS AND WELL-BEING The livelihood activities of locals need to be broadened, diversified or improved to ensure a reliable stream of in come. Livelihood improvement strategies may help develop livelihood enhancing, diversifying and/or innovation interventions. Household income from marine-based activities can be improved with new technology, higher value-adding (i.e. more benefit from fewer fish) and proper management (i.e. appropriate limits and scale of growth to sustain resource use). It is important that livelihood portfolio improvements focus on raising the stan dard of living and both individual and community well-being, not only economically but also socially, culturally and politically. Actions: 6.1 Improve fish production and fish-based (wild capture) livelihoods and innovate new sustainable income activities (as appropriate to changing contexts, including building on practices emerging locally in re sponse to climate change). 6.2 Promote innovation and development of appropriate aquaculture production in rural areas to support livelihoods and nutrition. 6.3 Promote inclusion of women and other social groups in CBFM and benefit sharing. Cross-cutting enabling conditions For all actions to feed into the overarching outcomes successfully, four key enabling conditions must be met. Firstly, all interventions must be designed to ensure equitable opportunity for engagement and benefit within and across stakeholder groups. This requires mechanisms for broad social inclusion to minimise, for example, gender-based marginalisation. Effective checks and balances are essential to ensure processes are fair and account abilities are in place. Secondly, as noted in strategic policy objective 8 in the National Fisheries Sector Policy, strong networks are imperative to interactive communication and information sharing. Opportunities to voice grievances, resolve conflicts, learn across scales and develop support systems will facilitate better implementation of the roadmap while also ensuring longevity of sustainable practice beyond 2030. Thirdly, capacity is needed to implement the roadmap. Local resource users need to be equipped with necessary skills, knowledge and resources to carry out fisheries management and to realise private and collective livelihood aspirations. Legitimate leadership at all levels will be critical for stakeholder groups to work collectively, as will the institutional structures that can overcome potential disadvantages of an overdependence on individual leaders. Lastly, activities under the roadmap should contribute to further empowering communities, for example with a formal and effective mandate to control access to resources. These decisions should be guided by locally devel oped, nationally endorsed, management tools that set out appropriate directives on what, how, who, and where rules and regulations are applicable. Tanna (image: Dirk Steenbergen) 15 Strategic milestones Santo (image: Dirk Steenbergen) Figure 5. Short-, medium- and long-term milestones of Vanuatu’s coastal fisheries roadmap 16 Aniwa (image: Pita Neihapi) 17 Monitoring, evaluation and learning This roadmap will guide improved performance of coastal fisheries in Vanuatu. The underlying objective of this roadmap is to improve current and future management outputs, outcomes and impact toward the national development goals, and to assist in Vanuatu’s annual reporting obligations under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the New Song Noumea Strategy. This roadmap has a lifespan of 11 years (2019–2030) with reviews planned in line with the defined milestones (i.e. after three, six and 11 years of implementation). Throughout the implementation of this roadmap, regular reporting will be integrated into VFD’s ongoing reporting system. Monitoring and evaluation procedures will run parallel to implementation, with lessons learned documented and measures of success or failure assessed accord ing to qualitative and quantitative indicators as part of the operationalisation framework. National Fisheries Management Advisory Council As defined in the Fisheries Act, VFD has a fisheries management advisory council in place. In addition to various office holders serving on the council in an ex officio capacity (including the attorney general, commander of maritime police and various departmental directors), the council is made up of nominated representatives from the fishing industry (both offshore and artisanal sectors), non-governmental sector, national agriculture bank, national foreign investment promotion authority and national shipping registry. The council’s main function is to provide recommendations to the VFD director on various policy and strategic planning matters. The Fisheries Act further notes that the “council may establish subcommittees for specific fishing sectors under this Act, and may adopt rules to include objectives, membership, procedures and related matters to give effect to such subcommittees” (Fisheries Act 2014, No. 10 2014, p. 23). This enables the necessary establishment of a senior management subcommittee for coastal fisheries, which may include representatives of relevant government, civil society and private sector stakeholders. This body will be decisive in leading a review on process and progress of the strategy’s implementation in years three, six and 11, whereby key accountability structures will enable monitoring of progress and successful completion of milestones. Tanna (image: Dirk Steenbergen) 18 A ct io n m at ri x Pl an ni ng p ha se s: S s ho rt te rm 1– 3 ye ar s M m ed iu m te rm up to 6 y ea rs L l on g te rm up to 1 1 ye ar s Fe as ib ili ty : G re en V FD c an e xe cu te w ith c ur re nt s et o f r es ou rc es a nd c ap ac ity O ra ng e V FD n ee ds fu rt he r su pp or t t o ex ec ut e ov er ti m e R ed St ra te gi c pl an s fo r ex te rn al s up po rt a re n ee de d to e ns ur e V FD h as th e ca pa ci ty ne ce ss ar y to e xe cu te th is o ve r th e lo ng t er m A ct io ns Ke y A ct iv it ie s O ut co m es G O V ER N A N CE 1. 1 Fo st er c ol la bo ra tio n am on g re le va nt na tio na l d ep ar tm en ts a nd m in is tr ie s 1. 1. 1 E st ab lis h M oU /M oA /M oC w ith r el ev an t m in is tr ie s an d de pa rt m en ts to a llo w c ro ss in st itu tio na l s up po rt in te ch ni ca l ar ea s, p ro je ct im pl em en ta tio n ac tiv iti es a nd c ap ac ity a ss is ta nc e St re ng th en ed c ol la bo ra tio n an d st re am lin in g w ith o th er c oa st al fis he ri es s ta ke ho ld er s, a nd la st in g im pa ct o f i m pl em en ta tio n of sp ec ifi ed a ct iv iti es S 1. 1. 2 D ev el op c le ar g ui de lin es a nd p ro to co l f or d at a sh ar in g, th at al lo w s fo r in pu t a nd o ut pu t t o/ fr om c en tr al d at as et s C on tr ib ut io n to a ch ie ve m en t o f N SD P go al s re la te d to e nv ir on m en t an d fis he ri es St re ng th en ed m an ag em en t a nd d is se m in at io n of n at io na l d at a S M 1. 1. 3 E st ab lis h in te r de pa rt m en ta l f or um s, w or ki ng g ro up s, fi el dw or k, w or ks ho ps , a nd im pl em en ta tio n pl an ni ng , a nd c ol la bo ra te in ta ki ng p ar t i n na tio na l f is he ri es r el at ed e ve nt s St re ng th en ed c oo pe ra tio n an d pa rt ne rs hi p w ith s ta ke ho ld er s an d lin e ag en ci es S 1. 2 St re ng th en c ol la bo ra tio n am on g go ve rn an ce in st itu tio ns a t d iff er en t sc al es , p ar tic ul ar ly w ith p ro vi nc ia l go ve rn m en ts , a re a co un ci ls an d co m m un ity a ut ho ri tie s 1. 2. 1 O rg an is e tr ai ni ng , a w ar en es s, a nd c on su lta tio ns to im pr ov e C B FM s ki lls o rg an is at io na l m ec ha ni cs o f a ut ho ri se d of fic er s, fis he rm an a ss oc ia tio n m em be rs , t ab u ar ea c om m itt ee , c ou nc ils o f ch ie f a nd c om m un ity E st ab lis he d an d w el l-f un ct io ni ng fi sh er a ss oc ia tio ns , a ut ho ri se d of fic er s, a nd ta bu a re a co m m itt ee th at a re w el l c on ne ct ed to a n at io na l de ce nt ra lis ed g ov er na nc e st ru ct ur e S 1. 2. 2 D ev el op a nd r ol l o ut a tr ai ni ng p la n fo r V FD s ta ff a t n at io na l, pr ov in ci al a nd a re a le ve ls on th e pr in ci pl es o f C B FM , p ro je ct m an ag em en t a nd re po rt in g, in cl ud in g co as ta l M C S tr ai ni ng (u til is in g T A IL S tr ai ni ng ): fis he ri es re gu la tio ns ; f is hi ng te ch ni qu es ; f oo d pr es er va tio n; a nd a rt is an al fi sh li ce ns in g H ig h ca pa ci ty w ith in V FD ’s fis he ri es a dm in is tr at iv e bo di es (n at io na l, pr ov in ci al a nd a re a le ve ls) , e ns ur in g ef fe ct iv e co m m un ity s up po rt S M 1. 3 D ev el op a nd im pl em en t l aw s, re gu la tio ns a nd b y la w s re le va nt to co m m un ity d ev el op m en t a nd c oa st al fis he ri es a nd w hi ch e na bl e C B FM a nd E A FM p ri nc ip le s 1. 3. 1 Pr ov id e in fo rm at io n an d aw ar en es s to c om m un ity le ve l f is he ri es st ak eh ol de rs o n en fo rc em en t o f e xi st in g an d/ or n ew la w s (i .e . ru le s an d re gu la tio ns , s an ct io ns , p oi nt s of a ut ho ri ty ) St re ng th en ed c om m un ity g ov er na nc e co ns is te nt w ith n at io na l f is he ri es la w s an d le gi sla tio n H ig h co m pl ia nc e to la w s in c om m un iti es S 1. 3. 2 R ev ie w F is he ri es A ct , a nd la w s an d re gu la tio ns re le va nt to c oa st al fis he ri es , t o ac co m m od at e pr in ci pl es fo r C B FM a nd E A FM Pr in ci pl es fo r C B FM a nd E A FM e m be dd ed in th e fo un da tio n of na tio na l f is he ri es p ol ic y, a nd r el at ed r ul es a nd r eg ul at io ns S 19 1. 4 D ev el op a pp lic ab le a nd a ch ie va bl e co nt ro l s ys te m s fo r fis hi ng a ct iv ity 1. 4. 1 D ev el op , c om m un ic at e an d im pl em en t a w eb b as ed c oa st al fis he ri es li ce ns in g sy st em A cc ur at e na tio na l m on ito ri ng a nd c on tr ol o f f is hi ng a ct iv ity in c oa st al zo ne s M L 1. 4. 2 D ev el op , c om m un ic at e an d im pl em en t a S O P fo r a co m m un ity ba se d M C S sy st em A cc ur at e na tio na l m on ito ri ng a nd c on tr ol o f f is hi ng a ct iv ity in c oa st al zo ne s M L 1. 4. 3 D ev el op , c om m un ic at e an d im pl em en t a n ef fe ct iv e pr oc es s fo r fa ir p ro se cu tio n of il le ga l f is hi ng a ct iv ity C le ar p ro ce ss a nd a cc ou nt ab ili tie s of a ut ho ri ty in p la ce a nd w id el y un de rs to od H ig h co m pl ia nc e to la w s in c om m un iti es M 1. 4. 4 D ev el op m at er ia ls an d/ or c re at e pu bl ic fo ru m s to in cr ea se aw ar en es s ab ou t C B FM Fi sh er s in c oa st al c om m un iti es a re a w ar e of th ei r ri gh ts a nd r ol e in th e st ru ct ur e, r es pe ct a ut ho ri tie s an d ar e w el l i nf or m ed o f w he re /t o w ho m to r ep or t S M 1. 5 St re ng th en c om m un ity le ve l f is he ri es re so ur ce g ov er na nc e 1. 5. 1 A pp oi nt a ut ho ri se d of fic er s in c om m un iti es Im pr ov ed lo ca l e nf or ce m en t S M 1. 5. 2 Pr ov id e tr ai ni ng in c om m un ity a dm in is te re d sa nc tio ni ng , e n fo rc em en t a nd re po rt in g Im pr ov ed lo ca l i m pl em en ta tio n of p ol ic y an d co m pl ia nc e M 1. 5. 3 Im pl em en t s ta nd ar d co m m un ity g ov er ni ng b od ie s fo r co as ta l fis he ri es (e .g . f is he r as so ci at io n) a nd in te gr at e in to th e na tio na l fis he ri es g ov er ni ng s tr uc tu re St re ng th en ed lo ca l o rg an is at io ns th at a re in te gr at ed in to th e na tio na l st ru ct ur e S M 1. 6 E na bl e V FD to im pl em en t c oa st al fi sh er ie s st ra te gy a ct iv iti es , w ith p ar tic ul ar re fe re nc e to d ev el op in g a SO P fo r ad e qu at e di sa st er re lie f r es po ns e 1. 6. 1 C oo rd in at e an d in te gr at e bi la te ra l p ro je ct s in to c en tr al , a nn ua l V FD w or k pl an s an d th e V FD b us in es s pl an E ff ec tiv e im pl em en ta tio n of s tr at eg y ac tiv iti es , w ith c le ar a llo ca tio n of re sp on si bi lit ie s C oh er en ce a nd c oo rd in at io n ac ro ss V FD ’s bi la te ra l p ro je ct s, w he re by pr oj ec ts m ee t e xp ec ta tio ns o f V FD (a nd N SD P) S 1. 6. 2 B ui ld c ap ac ity a m on g V FD s ta ff fo r fu nd ra is in g an d se cu re fu nd in g to c on tin ue s up po rt fo r co as ta l f is he ri es s tr at eg y ac tiv iti es , t o en su re o ng oi ng in no va tio n of n ew a ct iv iti es W el l-r es ou rc ed p ro gr am m es a llo w in g fo r lo ng t er m s up po rt M L 1. 6. 3 Im pl em en t a m ec ha ni sm fo r co nt in ui ty b et w ee n su bs eq ue nt pr oj ec ts o ve r tim e, e ns ur in g co ns is te nt g ro w th o f s ec to r an d se lf su ff ic ie nt in te rv en tio ns C oh er en ce a nd c oo rd in at io n ac ro ss V FD ’s bi la te ra l p ro je ct s fo r co ns is te nt lo ng t er m g ro w th in th e se ct or M L 1. 6. 4 D ev el op r es po ns e pl an fo r fis he ri es b as ed re lie f s up po rt to a re as un de r a st at e of e m er ge nc y M ec ha ni sm s an d pr oc es se s in p la ce to re sp on d qu ic kl y an d ad eq ua te ly w ith s up po rt to u np re di ct ab le n at ur al d is as te r ev en ts S M 20 IN FO RM AT IO N & K N O W LE D G E 2. 1 D ev el op a s tr at eg y fo r be tt er c om m un i ca tio n be tw ee n V FD a nd s ta ke ho ld er s, an d w ith c iv il so ci et y 2. 1. 1 U se r el ev an t m ed ia o r ou tle ts to d is se m in at e in fo rm at io n to a ll re le va nt s ta ke ho ld er s an d re ce iv e in fo rm at io n fr om c om m un ity st ak eh ol de rs (e .g . F ac eb oo k, r ad io , n ew sp ap er , n ew sf la sh , q ua rt er ly r ep or ts a nd a nn ua l r ep or ts ) In cr ea se d in fo rm at io n ex ch an ge b et w ee n fis he ri es s up po rt b en ef ic ia ri es , s ta ke ho ld er s an d V FD S M 2. 1. 2 D ev el op V FD w eb si te , a nd e ns ur e ac ce ss to th e co as ta l f is he ri es da ta ba se In fo rm at io n ac ce ss to re le va nt c iv il so ci et y gr ou ps a nd a cc es s of in fo r m at io n/ da ta to o th er g ov er nm en t d ep ar tm en ta l a ge nc ie s S 2. 2 R eg ul ar ly m on ito r an d ev al ua te th e st at e of c oa st al fi sh er ie s (b ot h ce nt ra lly a nd by c om m un ity g ro up s to e na bl e de ce n tr al is ed c ov er ag e) 2. 2. 1 D ev el op a nd im pl em en t p ro ce du re s fo r st oc k as se ss m en ts , s ur ve ys , d at a m an ag em en t, e re po rt in g, m on ito ri ng a nd e va lu at io n of c ur re nt p ol ic y in c oa st al fi sh er ie s st at us St re ng th en ed m on ito ri ng a nd e va lu at io n of e xi st in g po lic ie s an d im pr ov ed u nd er st an di ng o f t he s ta tu s of re so ur ce s to ck s S M 2. 2. 2 D ev el op a nd im pl em en t p ro ce du re s fo r re gu la r cl im at e ch an ge m on ito ri ng a nd e nv ir on m en ta l i m pa ct a ss es sm en t ( E IA ) p ro to co ls A cc ur at e an d cu rr en t i nf or m at io n on c lim at e ch an ge in du ce d sh ift s, an d ef fe ct iv e se rv ic e pr ov is io n fo r E IA s S M 2. 3 D ev el op in no va tiv e m od es o f s ta ke ho ld er e ng ag em en t a nd a w ar en es s ra is in g ca m pa ig ns to p ro m ot e C B FM 2. 3. 1 D ev el op a c en tr al d at ab as e an d da ta s ha ri ng p la tf or m , a s w el l a s in fo rm at io n di ss em in at io n m at er ia l ( e. g. fl ye rs , p os te rs , s oc ia l m ed ia , D vD ), an d or ga ni se ta rg et ed w or ks ho ps a nd tr ai ni ng s St re ng th en ed in te ra ct iv e co m m un ic at io n an d re po rt in g be tw ee n st ak e ho ld er s an d V FD S 2. 4 C on du ct re se ar ch to in fo rm a nd im pr ov e pr ac tic e, a nd in cr ea se u nd er st an d in g of th e im po rt an ce o f f is h to li ve li ho od s, n ut ri tio n an d he al th 2. 4. 1 R ai se fi sh er ie s pr of ile a t a n ed uc at io na l l ev el to c re at e op po rt un i tie s fo r re se ar ch a nd d at a co lle ct io n pu rp os es , o n sp ec ifi c fis he ri es di sc ip lin es In cr ea se d kn ow le dg e of fi sh w ith re sp ec t t o liv el ih oo ds , n ut ri tio n an d he al th S 2. 5 In te gr at e sc ie nt ifi c kn ow le dg e w ith ex is tin g tr ad iti on al k no w le dg e 2. 5. 1 Su pp or t r es ea rc h ac tiv iti es to re vi ew a nd im pr ov e ec ol og ic al u n de rs ta nd in g (s to ck a ss es sm en ts , l ife cy cl e, m ig ra tio n pa tt er ns a nd cl im at e ch an ge is su es ), m an ag em en t p la n de ve lo pm en t, an d da ta co lle ct io n of b ot h sc ie nt ifi c an d tr ad iti on al k no w le dg e Im pr ov ed p ra ct ic es a nd u nd er st an di ng o f e co lo gi ca l p ro ce ss es a nd m an ag em en t r es po ns es th ro ug h ap pl ic at io n of b ot h sc ie nc e de ri ve d an d tr ad iti on al k no w le dg e S 2. 6 St re ng th en k no w le dg e an d sk ill s of V FD s ta ff a t n at io na l, pr ov in ci al a nd ar ea le ve ls to b e ab le to e xe cu te V FD st ra te gi c pr io ri tie s 2. 6. 1 Pr ov id e tr ai ni ng a nd s el ec tiv e re cr ui tm en t f or n at io na l, pr ov in ci al an d ar ea le ve l s ta ff w ith re sp ec t t o C B FM p ri nc ip le s, m an ag e m en t l ea de rs hi p an d re po rt in g St re ng th en ed in h ou se c ap ac ity o f V FD s ta ff in im pl em en tin g th e co as ta l f is he ri es s tr at eg y M L 2. 6. 2 Pr ov id e te ch ni ca l t ra in in g on fi sh er ie s m an ag em en t, M C S, s us ta in ab le li ve lih oo d de ve lo pm en t, da ta c ol le ct io n/ an al ys is a nd th e e re po rt in g sy st em St re ng th en ed in h ou se m an ag em en t a nd le ad er sh ip c ap ac ity M L 2. 6. 3 E xp os e st af f t o in te rn at io na l c on fe re nc es a nd p re se nt at io ns Im pr ov ed n et w or k bu ild in g, s ta ff e xp os ur e an d co m m un ic at io n sk ill s M L 2. 6. 4 Pr om ot e fu rt he r ed uc at io n fo r se ni or n at io na l s ta ff in a ca de m ic re se ar ch , g ra nt w ri tin g, a nd le ad er sh ip th ro ug h en ro lm en t i n re l ev an t M Sc a nd P hD p ro gr am m es (t o bu ild c ap ac ity w ith in V FD an d m in im is e de pe nd en ce o n fo re ig n ex pe rt is e) a nd fo r ju ni or na tio na l/ pr ov in ci al s ta ff th ro ug h pr ov is io n of s ch ol ar sh ip s an d in te rn sh ip s at M Sc a nd B Sc le ve l G re at er in h ou se , a ca de m ic c ap ac ity in re se ar ch , n et w or ki ng , l ea de r sh ip a nd fu nd ra is in g M L 21 EC O SY ST EM M A N A G EM EN T 3. 1 A lig n fis he ri es m an ag em en t ( pl an ni ng , de si gn , i m pl em en ta tio n an d ev al ua tio n) pr ac tic es to h ol is tic C B FM a nd E A FM pr in ci pl es , w hi ch a re in fo rm ed b y so un d fis he ri es s ci en ce a nd m et ho do lo gy 3. 1. 1 D ev el op re le va nt fi sh er ie s gu id el in es , S O Ps a nd p ro to co ls fo r st oc k/ ha bi ta t a ss es sm en ts , w ith e xp lic it m et ho do lo gy fo r im pl em en ta tio n C oo rd in at ed , s ta nd ar di se d an d so un d fis he ri es m an ag em en t S 3. 1. 2 D ef in e an d im pl em en t c on te xt a pp ro pr ia te E A FM a nd C B FM pr in ci pl es fo r V an ua tu , a nd a pp ly th em to p ar tic ip at or y ap pr oa ch es fo r pl an ni ng , d es ig n, im pl em en ta tio n an d ev al ua tio n C le ar a nd fe as ib le n at io na l i m pl em en ta tio n st ra te gy im pl em en te d in lin e w ith E A FM a nd C B FM p ri nc ip le s S 3. 2 Im pr ov e co as ta l f is he ri es s to ck s an d ha bi ta ts 3. 2. 1 D ev el op a nd im pl em en t a pp ro pr ia te fi sh er ie s m an ag em en t i n te rv en tio ns b as ed o n da ta fr om s to ck a ss es sm en ts , s ur ve ys a nd re po rt in g E ff ec tiv e an d su st ai na bl e fis he ri es m an ag em en t S 3. 2. 2 D ev el op , i m pl em en t a nd m on ito r ef fe ct iv e (c om m un ity b as ed ) m an ag em en t o f t ab u ar ea s (i n co lla bo ra tio n w ith th e D ep ar tm en t of E nv ir on m en t) St re ng th en ed m ar in e re so ur ce m an ag em en t i n co as ta l a re as S M 3. 2. 3 Su pp or t i nt er ve nt io ns le d by th e D ep ar tm en t o f E nv ir on m en t ar ou nd m ar in e po llu tio n H ea lth y, r ob us t e co sy st em s w ith m in im al c on ta m in at io n of re so ur ce st oc k an d ha bi ta ts S 3. 3 Se cu re fo rm al r ig ht s of a cc es s an d m an ag em en t o ve r cu st om ar y te nu re 3. 3. 1 R ec og ni se , e m po w er a nd c la ri fy lo ca l t en ur e, a nd r es ol ve te nu re co nf lic t ( in c ol la bo ra tio n w ith th e D ep ar tm en t o f E nv ir on m en t) C le ar la nd o w ne rs hi p, te nu re , a nd re so ur ce a cc es s ar ra ng em en ts M 3. 3. 2 Su pp or t d ev el op m en t o f C B FM p la ns b y an d fo r co m m un iti es R ob us t g ro un d le ve l m an ag em en t c ap ac ity S M 3. 4 St re ng th en c om m un iti es (a nd c on ne c tio ns b et w ee n th e co m m un iti es a nd V FD ) t o m an ag e fis he ri es re so ur ce s 3. 4. 1 In vo lv e co m m un ity m em be rs (b ey on d fo rm al a ut ho ri se d of fic er s) in fi sh er ie s tr ai ni ng m an ag em en t R es po ns ib le a nd b et te r in fo rm ed fi sh er s w ho h av e a st ro ng s en se o f ow ne rs hi p ov er in te rv en tio ns M L 3. 4. 2 D ev el op d at ab as e or re gi st ry o f c om m un ity re qu es ts fo r su pp or t C om m un ity n ee ds a re b et te r ad dr es se d, a nd m ar gi na lis ed (r em ot e) co m m un iti es re ce iv e ap pr op ri at e su pp or t M 3. 4. 3 E ns ur e en ha nc ed li ve lih oo ds a ct iv iti es a re s us ta in ab le a nd fu lfi l m ul tip le n ee ds (e .g . a qu ac ul tu re c on tr ib ut es to fo od s ec ur ity a nd to ur is m d ev el op m en t) Ta rg et ed in te rv en tio ns re su lt in a m or e su bs ta nt ia l, br oa de r im pa ct M L 22 M A RK ET S 4. 1 Im pr ov e fis h qu al ity , a va ila bi lit y an d af fo rd ab ili ty in m ar ke ts 4. 1. 1 C on du ct a na ly si s of fi sh p ro du ct io n, a nd im pl em en t a s tr at eg y fo r im pr ov ed c on si st en cy in fi sh p ro du ct io n St ab le fi sh a va ila bi lit y S 4. 1. 2 Im pr ov e m ar ke t t ra ns pa re nc y th ro ug h w id es pr ea d in fo rm at io n sh ar in g (e .g . p ri ce p ro du ct io n; m ar ke tin g) E qu ita bl e di st ri bu tio n of b en ef its fr om fi sh tr ad e al on g th e su pp ly ch ai ns S 4. 1. 3 D ev el op m at er ia ls an d tr ai ni ng to im pr ov e po st h ar ve st fi sh ha nd lin g, s to ra ge (a nd p re se rv at io n) a nd tr an sp or ta tio n D el iv er y of h ig h qu al ity fi sh to r ur al a nd u rb an c on su m er s S M 4. 2 Im pr ov e ac ce ss to m ar ke ts – b et w ee n pr od uc er s an d co ns um er s (i n ru ra l a nd ur ba n ar ea s, n am el y Lu ga nv ill e an d Po rt V ila ) 4. 2. 1 C on du ct re se ar ch o n di st ri bu tio n, fi sh m ar ke t n et w or ks a nd a ss is t to fa ci lit at e fis h di st ri bu tio n ch an ne ls in r ur al a nd r ur al u rb an m ar ke t s ys te m s Im pr ov ed m ar ke t a nd d is tr ib ut io n fu nc tio n of fi sh in r ur al a nd u rb an ar ea s M L 4. 2. 2 Sh or te n ch ai ns a nd im pr ov e fis h af fo rd ab ili ty (a nd p ri ce s ta bi lit y) by p ro m ot in g di re ct fi sh d is tr ib ut io n in to r ur al a re as fr om la nd in g si te s, b y in st al lin g co ld s to ra ge , c ol d ch ai n in fr as tr uc tu re an d fis h pr es er va tio n fa ci lit ie s Im pr ov ed d el iv er y of fr es h un co nt am in at ed fi sh to c on su m er s. C he ap er fi sh a nd b et te r ac ce ss to fi sh in in la nd r ur al a re as M L 4. 2. 3 A ss is t t o pu t i n pl ac e m an ag em en t s tr uc tu re s (e .g . c oo pe ra tiv es , fis he r as so ci at io n) fo r ca pa ci ty b ui ld in g an d em po w er m en t ar ou nd lo ca l e ng ag em en t i n fis h tr ad e Lo ca l e qu ita bl e be ne fit s de ri ve d fr om fi sh tr ad e M L 4. 2. 4 C on du ct tr ai ni ng o n fis h pr od uc tio n, p os t ha rv es t h an dl in g an d va lu e ad di ng (a pp ro pr ia te to ta rg et m ar ke t, e. g. to ur is m ) D iv er si fic at io n of p ro du ct s an d in cr ea se d in co m e fr om fi sh b as ed tr ad e S H EA LT H & N U TR IT IO N 5. 1 Pr om ot e co ns um pt io n of fr es h nu tr i tio us fi sh a s pa rt o f a w el l-b al an ce d di et 5. 1. 1 C on du ct p ar tic ip at or y re se ar ch a nd s itu at io n an al ys es o n fis h ba se d nu tr iti on , v al ue o f f is h to h um an h ea lth a nd q ua lit y of fi sh co ns um pt io n, a nd h av e th is in fo rm at io n di ss em in at ed to g ui de a su bs eq ue nt n ut ri tio n ba se d in te rv en tio n N ut ri tio n in ta ke im pr ov ed th ro ug h a hi gh er fi sh b as ed d ie t, an d th e re du ce d pr ev al en ce o f N C D s L 5. 1. 2 D ev el op a nd im pl em en t c om m un ity le ve l t ra in in g on p os t ha rv es t h yg ie ni c ha nd lin g an d st or ag e of fi sh a nd o pt im al ut ili sa tio n of fi sh b as ed p ro du ct s O pt im al u se o f f is h ba se d pr od uc ts in c om m un iti es w ith m in im al w as te M L 5. 2 Fo cu s on im pr ov in g di et s am on g sp e ci fic s oc ia l g ro up s (e .g . w om en a nd ch ild re n) 5. 2. 1 C ar ry o ut in fo rm at io n ca m pa ig ns to in cr ea se a w ar en es s of th e im po rt an ce o f f is h ba se d nu tr iti on a nd s an ita ry r eq ui re m en ts fo r ea rl y hu m an d ev el op m en t H ea lth ie r fis h de pe nd en t c om m un iti es M L 5. 3 R eg ul at e fo od s af et y st an da rd s at fi sh m ar ke ts 5. 3. 1 D ev el op a nd im pl em en t s ea fo od s ta nd ar ds a nd r eq ui re m en ts fo r co as ta l a nd d om es tic fi sh er ie s H ig he r qu al ity fi sh in ta ke a nd re du ce d pr ev al en ce o f N C D s S M 5. 3. 2 M on ito r se af oo d re qu ir em en ts a nd fo od s af et y (e .g . i ns pe ct io n an d ce rt ifi ca tio n) O ng oi ng n at io na l m on ito ri ng s tr uc tu re fo r ea rl y ri sk id en tif ic at io n, pr ev en tio n an d re sp on se M L 23 LI V EL IH O O D S & W EL L BE IN G 6. 1 Im pr ov e fis h pr od uc tio n an d fis h ba se d (w ild c ap tu re ) l iv el ih oo ds a nd in no va te ne w s us ta in ab le in co m e ac tiv iti es (a s ap pr op ri at e to c ha ng in g co nt ex ts , i n cl ud in g bu ild in g on p ra ct ic es e m er gi ng lo ca lly in re sp on se to c lim at e ch an ge ) 6. 1. 1 C on du ct a s tu dy o n th e w el l-b ei ng o f f is he rs a nd fi sh in g co m m u ni tie s, a nd d ev el op a nd im pl em en t a pp ro pr ia te m ea su re s W el l-i nf or m ed , w el l-b ei ng im pr ov em en t m ea su re s an d su pp or t t o fis he rs b y V FD M 6. 1. 2 C on tin ue s up po rt in d ep lo ym en t a nd m ai nt en an ce o f F A D s, a nd im pr ov e ac ce ss to , a nd u til ity o f, th em In cr ea se d ca pa ci ty fo r fis h ca pt ur e in c om m un iti es S 6. 1. 3 G ui de d ev el op m en t o f c om m un ity b as ed e co to ur is m a ct iv iti es (e .g . r ec re at io na l f is hi ng ; s no rk el lin g; to ur s) In cr ea se d in co m e fr om d iv er se a ct iv iti es in c om m un iti es fo r im pr ov ed se lf su ff ic ie nc y S M 6. 1. 4 D ev el op a nd im pl em en t c om m un ity le ve l s ki lls tr ai ni ng to e n ha nc e liv el ih oo ds (e .g . t ra in in g on in st al la tio n an d m ai nt en an ce of s ol ar fr ee ze rs , s he ll cr af tin g an d en tr ep re ne ur ia l m an ag em en t) In cr ea se d in co m e fr om d iv er se a ct iv iti es in c om m un iti es fo r im pr ov ed se lf su ff ic ie nc y S 6. 2 Pr om ot e in no va tio n an d de ve lo pm en t of a pp ro pr ia te a qu ac ul tu re p ro du ct io n in r ur al a re as to s up po rt li ve lih oo ds a nd nu tr iti on 6. 2. 1 In te gr at e ac tiv iti es fr om a qu ac ul tu re a nd m ar ic ul tu re d iv is io ns to im pl em en t t ec hn ol og y, s ki lls a nd in fr as tr uc tu re in to r ur al c on te xt fo r im pr ov ed in co m e In cr ea se d in co m e fr om d iv er se a ct iv iti es in c om m un iti es fo r im pr ov ed se lf su ff ic ie nc y S M 6. 3 Pr om ot e in cl us io n of w om en a nd o th er so ci al g ro up s in C B FM a nd b en ef it sh ar in g 6. 3. 1 D ev el op fi sh er ie s vi lla ge p ro fil es o f a ct iv e fis hi ng c om m un iti es re ce iv in g V FD s up po rt , i nc lu di ng g en de re d liv el ih oo ds in fo rm a tio n be yo nd fi sh er ie s, a nd in cl ud e vi lla ge p ro fil es in th e re gi st ry o f co m m un ity re qu es ts A cc ur at e kn ow le dg e of lo ca l c om m un ity c on di tio ns a llo w in g fo r ap pr op ri at e re sp on se m ea su re s an d/ or s up po rt M 6. 3. 2 Im pl em en t a ct iv iti es in w ay s th at e ns ur e eq ui ta bl e pa rt ic ip at io n an d ex pl ic itl y m iti ga te s oc ia l ( ge nd er ) m ar gi na lis at io n E qu ita bl e be ne fit d is tr ib ut io n an d w id es pr ea d im pr ov ed w el l-b ei ng fr om fi sh er ie s liv el ih oo ds s up po rt S M 24 Workshop I Strategic planning workshop to identify long term ‘change pathways’ for coastal fisheries November 2017 Port Vila Output [January 2018]: • Theory of Change (ToC) completed for strategic planning guidance • 1st draft of strategic planning section of roadmap complete and circulated for consultation and feedback Document refined according to feedback April 2018 Workshop II VFD workshop to develop roadmap operationalization plan and action matrix May 2018 Port Vila Output [June 2018]: • Action matrix and indicators completed to outline operationalisation of roadmap • 1st draft of document complete and circulated for consultation and feedback Document refined according to feedback August 2018 Workshop III Open consultative workshop with stakeholders to incorporate feedback September 2018 Port Vila Output [November 2018]: • Amendments incorporated according to stakeholder input during workshop (including different sectors, projects and government departments). • Amended document circulated among stakeholders after the workshop (one month open consultation) Document finalized December 2018 Final launching and signing by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity Annex Consultation process The development of the Vanuatu National Roadmap for Coastal Fisheries: 2019–2030 has been subject to in depth consultation with stakeholders in Vanuatu. The consultative process was guided by expert facilitative support from both within VFD and through partnerships with SPC and the University of Wollongong. VFD staff engaged in a three-stage process that included external stakeholders at various phases, as depicted in the fig ure below. Groundwork for development of the document was completed in the first two workshops. The third workshop functioned as consultations with all relevant stakeholders in Vanuatu, including representatives from governmental and non-governmental organisations. Following the final workshop, the document was amended according to input at the workshop and then circulat ed again for input. Stakeholders were given a month to suggest additional changes. Following this, the document was amended and then finalised in preparation for presentation before the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity. Phases of development and consultation for Vanuatu National Roadmap for Coastal Fisheries: 2019–2030. Government of the Republic of Vanuatu Vanuatu National Roadmap for Coastal Fisheries: 2019–2030 Developed by staff from Vanuatu Fisheries Department with financial support from the governments of Australia and New Zealand. Facilitated by the Pacific Community (SPC) and Australian National Centre for Ocean Resource and Security (ANCORS, University of Wollongong) Approved by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity (MALFFB) on 20th March 2019, Port Vila